How are heat waves affecting Kantaben Kishen Parmar, a vegetable seller in Ahmedabad?

Kantaben Kishen Parmar, a 45-year-old vegetable seller in Ahmedabad, has suffered from heat-related health issues such as collapsing from heat stress, dehydration, urinary tract infections, and heavy bleeding. The extreme heat has taken a toll on her health, but she has no choice but to continue working long hours on the scorching pavement to support her family.

What challenges do waste collectors like Hansaben Veijay Aahir face during India's brutal summers?

Hansaben Veijay Aahir, a 50-year-old waste collector in Ahmedabad, now loses a week's worth of work each month due to dehydration and vomiting caused by the extreme heat. This drastically reduces her already unstable income of just over $2 per day, forcing her to borrow money or skip meals when she misses work.

How are indoor workers in India's garment factories affected by the heat?

According to labor rights researcher Lucy Siers, poor ventilation, heat-emitting machinery, and overcrowded factory floors can amplify the heat stress experienced by the nearly 9,000 garment factory workers she visited across India. However, global fashion brands that buy these garments are largely unaware of the impact of extreme heat on their supply chain workers.

Home / Weather / Extreme Heat Threatens Livelihoods of India's Informal Workers

Extreme Heat Threatens Livelihoods of India's Informal Workers

16 Nov

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Summary

Vegetable seller collapses from heat stress, suffers health issues
Waste collector loses a week's pay each month due to heat-related illness
Garment factory workers face dangerous indoor conditions with poor ventilation

Extreme Heat Threatens Livelihoods of India's Informal Workers

In the past few years, India has experienced record-breaking heat waves that have taken a severe toll on the country's informal workers. As of November 2025, the situation remains dire, with millions of people who toil outdoors or in stifling factories facing serious health risks and economic hardship.

Kantaben Kishen Parmar, a 45-year-old vegetable seller in Ahmedabad, is one of the many workers struggling to cope with the extreme heat. Three years ago, she collapsed from heat stress and was hospitalized for severe dehydration. Parmar, who is diabetic, has also suffered from urinary tract infections, dizzy spells, and heavy bleeding during her period—all conditions that medical experts attribute to heat stress. Despite the growing toll on her health, Parmar has no choice but to continue working long hours on the scorching pavement to support her family.